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Journals / Erciyes Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Fen Bilimleri Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 41 Sayı: 3

Load Analysis and Finite Element Modeling of Steel Silos with Different Slenderness Ratios

Farklı Narinlik Oranlarına Sahip Çelik Siloların Yük Analizi ve Sonlu Elemanlar Yöntemi ile Modellenmesi

Yakup Bölükbaş(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ, İNŞAAT MÜHENDİSLİĞİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0003-4466-6245
Ramazan Oruç(AKSARAY ÜNİVERSİTESİ, MÜHENDİSLİK FAKÜLTESİ, İNŞAAT MÜHENDİSLİĞİ BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-1650-4145
Pages
870–888
Publication Date
2025-12-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The numerical results showed that the slender silo exhibited significantly higher horizontal and vertical pressures during both filling and discharge, leading to increased stress concentrations on the wall and supporting columns.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:In this study, the loads acting on steel silos with different slenderness ratios during filling and discharge processes were determined based on the TS EN 1991-4 standard, and the structural behavior of the silos was investigated using the finite element method (FEM).
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Key Findings & Data:For this purpose, two steel silo models with identical diameters (12 m) but different wall heights (17 m – intermediate-slender silo, and 30 m – slender silo) were developed.
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Conclusion & Impact:The numerical results showed that the slender silo exhibited significantly higher horizontal and vertical pressures during both filling and discharge, leading to increased stress concentrations on the wall and supporting columns.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Çelik Silo · Silo Yükleri · Yük Analizi

Abstract

In this study, the loads acting on steel silos with different slenderness ratios during filling and discharge processes were determined based on the TS EN 1991-4 standard, and the structural behavior of the silos was investigated using the finite element method (FEM). For this purpose, two steel silo models with identical diameters (12 m) but different wall heights (17 m – intermediate-slender silo, and 30 m – slender silo) were developed. Wheat was selected as the stored material, and its mechanical properties were defined according to the relevant standard. Horizontal pressures, vertical pressures, and wall friction forces for both filling and discharge conditions were calculated theoretically and subsequently applied to three-dimensional FEM models generated in ABAQUS. The numerical results showed that the slender silo exhibited significantly higher horizontal and vertical pressures during both filling and discharge, leading to increased stress concentrations on the wall and supporting columns. In contrast, the intermediate-slender silo demonstrated a more stable structural response with a more uniform distribution of pressures. Although the FEM results were generally consistent with the theoretical equations of TS EN 1991-4, localized stress concentrations were observed especially around the wall–stiffener interaction regions, which are not captured by standard design equations. Overall, the study highlights that silo slenderness ratio is a critical parameter affecting structural safety. For slender silos, theoretical calculations alone may be insufficient, and FEM-supported design approaches are necessary to ensure reliable, safe, and economical steel silo designs.

Özet

Bu çalışmada, farklı narinlik oranlarına sahip çelik silolarda depolama ve boşaltma süreçlerinde oluşan yüklerin TS EN 1991-4 standardı esas alınarak belirlenmesi ve sonlu elemanlar yöntemi (SEM) ile yapısal davranışın incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu kapsamda, çapı 12 m olan ancak yükseklikleri 17 m (ara-narin silo) ve 30 m (narin silo) olarak seçilen iki çelik silo modeli oluşturulmuştur. Depolanan malzeme olarak buğdayın fiziksel özellikleri standarda uygun biçimde tanımlanmış, doldurma ve boşaltma durumları için yatay basınç, düşey basınç ve sürtünme kuvvetleri teorik denklemlerle hesaplanmıştır. Bu yükler ABAQUS yazılımında oluşturulan üç boyutlu SE modellerine aktarılmış ve her iki modelin gerilme dağılımları ile mesnet reaksiyonları karşılaştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar, narin silo modelinde hem dolum hem boşaltma sırasında daha yüksek yatay ve düşey basınçların oluştuğunu, buna bağlı olarak duvarlarda ve destek kolonlarında daha yüksek gerilme birikimleri meydana geldiğini göstermiştir. Ara-narin silo modelinde ise yüklerin daha dengeli dağıldığı ve yapısal davranışın daha kararlı olduğu görülmüştür. Ayrıca SEM sonuçlarının, TS EN 1991-4 yük denklemleriyle genel olarak uyumlu olmakla birlikte, rijitleştirici kolon-duvar etkileşim bölgelerinde standart hesaplamaların öngöremediği lokal gerilme yoğunlaşmalarını ortaya koyduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, silo narinlik oranının yapısal güvenlik açısından kritik bir parametre olduğunu ve özellikle narin silolarda teorik hesaplamaların tek başına yeterli olmadığını göstermektedir. Sonlu eleman analizleri ile desteklenen tasarım yaklaşımının, çelik silolarda daha güvenli ve ekonomik bir tasarım için gerekli olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Bölükbaş, Y., Oruç, R. (2025). Load Analysis and Finite Element Modeling of Steel Silos with Different Slenderness Ratios. Erciyes Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 41 Sayı: 3, 870–888. https://doi.org/10.65520/erciyesfen.1777500

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